FG to engage regulators, producers of cooking gas over soaring prices

The federal government says regulatory agencies and producers of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), also known as cooking gas, will be invited to address the recent price surge.

Ekperikpe Ekpo, minister of state for petroleum resources (gas), spoke to journalists on Monday on the sidelines of the ‘LPG Grassroots Penetration and Cylinder Distribution Programme’ for the south-west zone.

in Lagos

In its latest report for July, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said Nigerians paid an average price of N14,261.57 for refilling a 12.5kg cylinder of cooking gas, compared to N9,162.11 in July 2023.

Speaking at the event in Lagos, Ekpo said he is concerned over the escalating price of cooking gas, promising to engage stakeholders to resolve it.

“I just got that information this morning that the price of gas is getting up again,” the minister said.

“So, what I’m going to do is that I will invite the regulators and the producers and have a meeting with them.

“What we are looking for is to bring down the price of gas so that it will be affordable.

“In the energy security we are talking about, we are talking about affordability, availability. Whatever the reason behind the hike in price is, we will make sure we bring it down.”

At the event, the decade of gas secretariat and some partners distributed 250 fully-filled LPG cylinders to underserved households in Lagos.

Speaking about the programme, the minister said the distributed cylinders were a manifestation of the current administration’s unwavering dedication to enhancing domestic gas utilisation.

Ekpo said with the gesture, the government was taking tangible steps toward achieving its broader goal.

‘PROVIDING 250,000 HOMES WITH CLEAN ENERGY’

The minister said the programme was a key component of the ‘Decade of Gas Initiative’, which envisions converting 250,000 homes to clean cooking gas within the next decade.

He also said the government is committed to realising the vision through strategic partnerships with the public and private sectors.

“Our focus on LPG is driven by its potential to improve household energy efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and foster economic growth,” he said.

“Clean cooking gas represents a cleaner, safer, and more efficient alternative to traditional fuels, and it is our mission to ensure that its benefits are accessible to all, especially women and youth who play a pivotal role in our communities.

“I would like to solicit corporate, private, and public sponsorship to advance this program beyond our goal of one million households.

“Our goal is to convert over one million homes across 774 local government areas in Nigeria to utilise LPG for cooking.”

In his remarks, Gbenga Komolafe, chief executive officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), said the initiative represents a significant milestone in the shared mission to expand LPG adoption and improve energy access across Nigeria.

Komolafe was represented by Paul Osu, the coordinator of the NUPRC Lagos regional office. 

He said the government is taking a bold step towards a cleaner, more efficient energy future for the nation.

“This initiative not only promotes a greener and more sustainable future for Nigeria but also underscores the importance of equitable access to clean energy,” Komolafe said.

On his part, George Akume, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), encouraged Nigerians to embrace cooking with LPG, saying it is easier, faster, and safer than firewood.

He was represented by Babatunde Bolaji, his special technical adviser.